Holland, a former McDowell High and Western Carolina University standout released last week by the St. Louis Cardinals, has signed with the Washington Nationals, the team announced Tuesday.

The Nationals added him to their major-league roster with the hope that Holland, 32, can rediscover the effectiveness that made him one of the best relievers in the majors. Holland saved 41 games for Colorado in 2017, but struggled mightily with St. Louis after signing a one-year, $14 million contract on Opening Day. In 32 games, he had an 0-2 record with a 7.92 earned-run average and did not record a save. In 25 innings pitched, he had 22 walks and 22 strikeouts.

Holland will join a Nationals bullpen recently thinned by the trades of right-handers Brandon Kintzler and Shawn Kelley and will pitch initially in sixth- and seventh-inning situations, according to the team website.

Washington, considered in preseason to be the heavy favorite to win the National League East Division championship, entered play Tuesday with a 57-54 record and in third place in the division, 5.5 games behind first-place Philadelphia and 4.5 games behind in the race for an NL wild-card playoff berth.

The move carries little financial risk for Washington, which is responsible only for a prorated amount of the major league minimum salary, approximately $170,000. The Cardinals will continue to pay the remainder.

Originally signed by the Kansas City Royals, Holland made his MLB debut in 2010 and became a key member of the bullpen as Kansas City reached the World Series in 2014 and won the championship in 2015.

Holland missed the postseason in 2015 because of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He missed the 2016 season and signed with Colorado last year.